NORFOLK, Va. — Elizabeth Stanton, 83, has spent her life protecting Norfolk children as they come and go from school for over half a century. The intersection of Hollister and Merrimac Avenues in Norfolk was one of many posts for Staton.
At the time, she helped children safely cross the road as they headed to the old Bowling Park Elementary School. Staton said she worked closely with the school's principal, Dr. Herman Clark.
"I stayed on this corner until they closed the school down," said Staton, as she stood at the crossing and reflected on the years spent there.
As Norfolk's longest-serving school crossing guard, Staton said she may have worked at over two dozen intersections across the city during her record-holding career.
"I had worked from Tidewater and Alsace all the way back to Charlotte Street and Tidewater Drive," Staton said. "Chesapeake Boulevard, Norview... I worked Five Point[s]."
Nowadays, though, Staton said she remembers less about the posts and more about the people.
One of those people happened to see Staton standing at her old post as he drove by. He stopped the car to show Staton his appreciation, telling her she helped him, his sister, and his daughter safely get to school.
Staton humbly beamed with pride, "It's good when somebody stop[s] and recognize[s] [you],' Staton said. "It make[s] you feel good that your work won't in vain."
Staton first reported for duty in 1967. At the time, her children were young, and she needed a job with flexible hours. But even after her kids were all grown up, she stayed on her post. By then, Staton said, it was because of the children she could help.
"I know what I want somebody to do for my kids," Staton said. "So, you know, I was out here for the kids."
56 years later, Staton officially hung up the vest. She retired from the position in August 2023, a decision she said wasn't made lightly.
"I still wanted to go back," Staton said, "[But] I just said, well nah, it's just time to let it go."
Looking back on her long career, Staton said there's not much she would change.
"I don't think I took off a hundred days in these 56 years," Staton said. "I went out there, rain, snow, hail, or blow... You had more beautiful days than you had bad days."
Looking ahead, she said there's not much she will forget.
"Encouraging the kids, you know, getting them across the street, looking forward to seeing them in the evening... that's been my life," Staton said.
Norfolk needs more school crossing guards. Pay starts at $18 an hour.
You can get more information from the Norfolk Police Department's recruiting website or by calling 757-823-4464.